Requests for data can be distributed among servers based on indicators of intent to access the data. For example, a kernel of a client device can receive a message from a software application. The message can indicate that the software application intends to access data at a future point in time. The kernel can transmit an electronic communication associated with the message to multiple servers. The kernel can receive a response to the electronic communication from a server of the multiple servers. Based on the response and prior to receiving a future request for the data from the software application, the kernel can select the server from among the multiple servers as a destination for the future request for the data.